Samples and Mockups the Easy Way

We’ve all been there. What will these colors, designs, and such look like on the finished product? How can I get that visual? How can I show my customer without actually completing a real project? I don’t want to waste supplies and time when they may not even like it. I need an efficient way to show my work. Hmmm…

Well, there’s a way to get a really good idea without cutting, weeding, and applying. Just use these steps to give a great sample mockup without all the hassle and waste.

Product Samples Without Making It

First, take a good photo of your item using natural light and making sure the surface area you plan to apply onto is clearly seen front and center. If you do not have the item in stock, you will have to look for a non-copyrighted image to download and use. It might make step 3 slightly more difficult and less precise, but you can guesstimate.

Open the photo in Studio.

Resize it appropriately. Measure item width and height or any clear markers on the item. Then, use the Ruler in Studio to make sure the item, not photo, matches the actual item dimensions.

Now put the design over the item as if you made it.

Turn all line colors of the design to transparent (xxxx) or use slightly darker shades for light colors (I like various shades of gray) and none for dark colors for a truer image.

Add your watermark if you desire.

Then, take a clean screenshot of it and save as a PNG. Now you can share what that design would look like on the item.
Note that there are websites out there you can pay for mockups, as well, but this is the free way if you’re not ready to pay for such a feature.

The great thing about preparing these mockups is that you can use them over and over. It gives a better connection with the client, too. They see it and they feel more connected to it. The idea comes to life. Help them see how awesome that design would be on that special item or help them find an item it would look better on.

In addition to photos for your designs, you can incorporate glitter, metallic, flocked, and other types of vinyl or textures such as paint, etc. Just as with your product mockups, you can either photograph or find non-copyrighted images of glitter vinyl, for instance. Then, you can use these in your designs. Plus, you can make a Samples Catalog so they can see what the different textures and colors look like. Follow these simple steps to make that happen.

Vinyl Samples Without Cutting It

First, take a good straight on photo of your vinyl using natural light. If you do not have the vinyl in stock, you will have to look for a non-copyrighted image to download and use. We want a nice, large surface area.

Open the photo in Studio.

Duplicate your design (I should have for the red hat to align perfectly when done) and paste the design on the glitter vinyl photo.

Make sure the photo is in front of your design so you can’t see the design.

Select the photo and red hat piece. From the Modify window, click Crop.

Now you are ready to realign the red hat with the rest. You can follow the same steps to make the white a white glitter for an even better finished look.

Then, you can either save a screen shot to share with your client or you can put it on the Product Mockup photo for an even more accurate look to the finished product. Then, screen shot that to share with the client.